tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56135098185480168152024-03-23T06:15:08.072-04:00Janis Lee ColonImpressions and Expressions as I follow the Lord Jesus Christ along the pilgrim path He leads me on.Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-78036056835540849482024-03-16T12:06:00.000-04:002024-03-16T12:06:14.135-04:00Staying on the Ancient path journal- start<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In Jeremiah 18:15 God is really warning His people to come back to Him and stop worshipping the false Idols. They had strayed away from God so much that they never read His word or worshipped Him. It eventually led them down a very dark path and being overrun and taken captive by the armies of Babylon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;">These can be counted on. But not my people! For they have deserted me and turned to foolish idols. They have turned away from the ancient highways of good and walk the muddy paths of sin.</span></span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"> (TLB)</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Ancient highway was a good highway in which God was the center of it. Any other path was a muddy path and only led to sin, darkness and death. When we follow the Lord and do what He says, we will be walking in His light and it will only be good.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;">This is the beginning of an "ancient document" art journal with this theme of staying on God's ancient path and walking in His ways. I hope you will join me on this little journey and discover God's good path for us.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/OGRSRgc4UM0?si=TxoyTh0aYx0HhRHv" width="480"></iframe>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-80988527872554977582024-01-12T15:03:00.000-05:002024-01-12T15:03:05.112-05:00Freedom 2024 word of the year- impromtu journal page<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I've decided to have a word for the year for 2024. It's the word - Freedom! It's been popping up a few times recently and it would be a good word to use to focus my mind on. There are 3 verses that talk about freedom that I want to think about:</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><i>Galatians 5:1-<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bolder;">free</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.</span></i></span></p><p><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">It's talking about how Jesus made us free from our sins with his death on the cross and resurrection. We don't need to try to pay for our sins by doing all kinds of work and religious things. He gave it to us as a free gift. We can now worship Him in Spirit and in truth.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><i>2 Thessalonians 3:1<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bolder;">free</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Apostle Paul wanted to be able to preach the Word of God freely and that it will spread throughout without any hinderance and be effective. I pray that same prayer for me.</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><i>Revelation 22:17<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bolder;">free</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">ly.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A beautiful verse at the end of the Bible, showing that God wants everyone to come to Him, freely. He wants to be involved in your life and help you and give you eternal life, if only you will freely come to Him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Watch as I create an art journal page, with these thoughts in mind... </span></p></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/C0bCFUOnBbo?si=lr68I88h4qPsMamF" width="480"></iframe>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-11138730737905990332023-08-12T09:41:00.000-04:002023-08-12T09:41:38.565-04:00Think on These Things - Praise<div><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-f5804857-7fff-5ac1-ad82-84ebc8151896"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think on these things from Philippians 4:8 - an ArtsyUs devotional series. We are making an art journal page, using paint and collage while focusing on the word, “Praise”. There are so many things to Praise the Lord for: His goodness, mercy and grace… I pray this will help you focus on His goodness all around you and cause you to stop and Praise Him!</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Ikvay57_LYs" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-e9d4a815-7fff-45de-97e5-7c3620930b1d"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">Philippians 4:8 (KJV)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 12pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”</span></span></p><br /></span></div>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0Deerfield Beach, FL, USA26.3184123 -80.099765699999992-1.9918215361788469 -115.25601569999999 54.628646136178844 -44.943515699999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-1285523304043272972023-08-03T10:39:00.000-04:002023-08-03T10:39:05.651-04:00Think on These Things - Virtue<div><span style="font-size: large;">Focusing on the word, "Virtue" in this installment of my video Devotional series on Philippians 4:8 "think on these things..."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I got re-acquainted again with Proverbs 31 - The virtuous Women. I can think of many ladies in my life, who fit this description. I pray this will bless and encourage you as it has me.</span></div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Eaxmqsd6rug" width="480"></iframe>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0Deerfield Beach, FL, USA26.3184123 -80.099765699999992-1.9918215361788469 -115.25601569999999 54.628646136178844 -44.943515699999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-59456490485116013352023-07-26T14:03:00.000-04:002023-07-26T14:07:01.545-04:00Think on These Things -A Good Report<div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Think on these things - Philippians 4:8 - We are focusing on the phrase, "A Good Report" </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large;">in this ArtsyUs devotional series. We are learning about Ruth, in the Book of Ruth in the Bible. Her story involves a couple of good reports. I encourage you to read the book. It's very short. The story is so good and has a happy ending. As you hear good news or report of someone this week, write or text them a note of encouragement. I know it will go a long way to make them feel special and you will feel good also. Blessings!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/vxXtDt0X3t4" width="480"></iframe>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-42938369701827762712023-07-12T13:32:00.007-04:002023-07-12T13:42:31.120-04:00Think on these things - Philippians 4:8- Lovely<div><br /></div><div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span> Think on these things - Philippians 4:8 - We are focusing on the word, "Lovely" </span><span>in this ArtsyUs devotional series. Let's spend this week writing down all the lovely things around us and in our lives. Count them all as blessings and let's thank the Lord for them. You will find that your negativeness</span><span> will go away and gratitude and joy will fill your heart!</span></span></p></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/ENnTfknP8iQ" width="480"></iframe>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0Deerfield Beach, FL, USA26.3184123 -80.099765699999992-1.9918215361788469 -115.25601569999999 54.628646136178844 -44.943515699999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-18302343866536268102023-07-05T10:28:00.002-04:002023-07-05T10:30:58.794-04:00Think on these things- Philippians 4:8 Artsy Devotional Series Pure<div><br /></div><div>Think on These Things- Philippians 4:8 Artsy Devotional Series - PURE</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/EH5kTsN3vLY" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EH5kTsN3vLY/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0Deerfield Beach, FL, USA26.3184123 -80.099765699999992-1.9918215361788469 -115.25601569999999 54.628646136178844 -44.943515699999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-9188952105488322562023-06-28T19:48:00.000-04:002023-06-28T19:48:34.216-04:00Think on these things -Just -Journal page<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Continuing in the little art journal on Philippians 4:8- Think on these things: Today we are focusing on the word, "Just".</span></p></div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/PuAW_QhAiBM" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PuAW_QhAiBM/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0Deerfield Beach, FL, USA26.3184123 -80.099765699999992-1.9918215361788469 -115.25601569999999 54.628646136178844 -44.943515699999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-62672992889398074622023-06-21T17:12:00.000-04:002023-06-21T17:17:52.833-04:00Start of Think on These Things art journal book<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/exoEETHP-aM" frameborder="0"></iframe>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-57619954480510545502020-08-12T13:39:00.003-04:002020-08-12T13:44:27.064-04:00The Fragrance of Christ<p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span class="text 2Cor-2-14" id="en-TLB-25879" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwN9lEIKdS_nt9Rv-q8IOEjXB_zLf6d86u0AkXh-gVIbf8BIKkNoza3em4IEAdeaUqUomwChx3iBPUM7cFqrQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>" But thanks be to God! For through what Christ has done, he has triumphed over us so that now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Gospel like a sweet perfume. <span class="text 2Cor-2-15" id="en-TLB-25880" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, ..." (2 Corinthians 2:14-15a -New Living Translation for better understanding.)</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="text 2Cor-2-15" style="background-color: white;">I have been using essential oils now for the last year or so. I love to be able to use these oils to naturally support me in many ways, both emotionally and physically. For example, if I need some calmness, I drop some lavender and other oils in a diffuser and it fills the room with a wonderful aroma that just melts all the stress away. Each one has special uses and smells. Whe</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">ther to create calmness, or to purify the air, each oil has special qualities. There are many options. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">When I read this verse I instantly thought, wow, we can be a diffuser for Christ! When we walk into a room or converse with someone, they should be able to sense that we are followers of Christ, both in our manner and conversation. I have sensed this many times when meeting new people. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">What is the Fragrance of Christ?</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>1. To walk in Love:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. (Ephesians 5:2)</span></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>2. To be a person of prayer:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">In </span>Exodus 30:34-35 it tells us what spices were used for the incense altar in the Tabernacle where the priest would pray. Frankincense was one of those ingredients. Among other benefits, it promotes a spiritual and meditative connectiveness. It was a sweet smell before the Lord. </span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bolder;">pray</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">:..." (Matthew 14:23a)</span></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>3. To be humble and obedient:</b></span></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bolder;">obedient</span><span style="background-color: white;"> unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:8)</span></span></i></p><p><span face=""><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"><b>4. To be meek and gentle:</b></span></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,..." </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">(2 Corinthians 10:1a). </span></span></i></p><p><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: 16px;"><b>5. To be a light:</b></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."</span> (John 8:12)</span></i></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">These are only 5 of many fragrances of Christ that we could follow. Just like the essential oils that you could use, each one is worthy of further study so that we can effectively diffuse the fragrance of Christ where ever we go.</span></span></p>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-54831750300396696382020-07-28T17:29:00.000-04:002020-07-28T17:29:28.503-04:00The Ancient Path<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaMbITRPAqCPvSljA74y8mympBhJ9njaIvI8jl29bwOufOW_6O017Q2MuDrv-V3oglH4abVIxZ-vUldD_0eSjBUkJ1oiQ_iNyzYkG_ZdjgZ4eouYKNx3C1pPmMO5I8lOllf8aUCaY6wVY/s1600/IMG_5108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaMbITRPAqCPvSljA74y8mympBhJ9njaIvI8jl29bwOufOW_6O017Q2MuDrv-V3oglH4abVIxZ-vUldD_0eSjBUkJ1oiQ_iNyzYkG_ZdjgZ4eouYKNx3C1pPmMO5I8lOllf8aUCaY6wVY/s320/IMG_5108.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><span class="text Jer-18-14" id="en-TLB-16949" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;">"</span><span class="text Jer-18-14" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;">The snow never melts high up in the Lebanon mountains. The cold, flowing streams from the crags of Mount Hermon never run dry. </span><span class="text Jer-18-15" id="en-TLB-16950" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;">These can be counted on. But not my people! For they have deserted me and turned to foolish idols. They have turned away from the ancient highways of good and walk the muddy paths of sin. </span><span class="text Jer-18-16" id="en-TLB-16951" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><span class="text Jer-18-16" id="en-TLB-16951">Therefore, their land shall become desolate, so that all who pass by will gasp and shake their heads in amazement at its utter desolation." </span>Jeremiah 18:14-16 (The Living Bible - used for better understanding.)</span></span></i><br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When Jeremiah wrote these words, Israel had forsaken God. They worshipped foreign gods. God's word was not heard in the land and His commandments were not obeyed. Therefore, God was sending the Babylonians to utterly destroy Israel and take them all captive back to Babylon. It was a very harsh, brutal punishment. Israel had forsaken God and stopped following the "ancient path" given to them on Mount Sinai.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>The 10 commandments:</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Exod-20-3" id="en-KJV-2055"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">1- </span>Thou shalt have no other gods before me.</span></span><span class="text Exod-20-4" id="en-KJV-2056"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">2- </span>Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.</span><span class="text Exod-20-7" id="en-KJV-2059"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3- </span>Thou shalt not take the name of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> thy God in vain; for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Exod-20-8" id="en-KJV-2060"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4- </span>Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. </span><span class="text Exod-20-9" id="en-KJV-2061">Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:</span><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>But the seventh day is the sabbath of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:<span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>For in six days the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.</span><span class="text Exod-20-12" id="en-KJV-2064"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5- </span>Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> thy God giveth thee.</span></span><span class="text Exod-20-13" id="en-KJV-2065"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6- </span>Thou shalt not kill.</span></span><span class="text Exod-20-14" id="en-KJV-2066"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7- </span>Thou shalt not commit adultery.</span></span><span class="text Exod-20-15" id="en-KJV-2067"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">8- </span>Thou shalt not steal.</span></span><span class="text Exod-20-16" id="en-KJV-2068"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">9- </span>Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.</span></span><span class="text Exod-20-17" id="en-KJV-2069"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>10- </b>Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." (Exodus 20:3-17)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Greatest Commandment:</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> In the New Testament, when Jesus was questioned by a scribe as to which is the greatest commandment, <i><span style="color: #741b47;">"Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:<span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."</span></i> (<span style="color: #741b47;"><i>Mark 12:28-31).</i></span> We all know it as the golden rule. Each one of these commandments is like a stone on the ancient path we should follow.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What path are we following?</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been so saddened about the recent protests and violent riots against our country, it's flag, courthouses, president, memorials, statues, monuments, churches, and many other things that are good and represent our country. Our liberties and freedom of speech and worship have also been attacked. What warrants this behavior? Our country is crumbling. These precious ancient stones are being tossed aside. A strange, harsh, stumbling path is now being formed and followed, leading to disaster and many of the leaders are just letting it happen. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We are a Judeo-Christian nation, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">founded on God's commandments and many more instructions given in the Bible, leading to stability and peace. For sure, we've had our problems. We work through them, and learn from them. There are still many more obstacles</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> to cross. With respect for others, and with God's help, we will solve them. But I feel like we, as a country, have forsaken God in so many ways and are walking in the "muddy paths of sin".</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We as believers need to stay on the ancient path and pray for our country, our president, his family and our churches before our land becomes, as Jeremiah said, <span class="text Jer-18-16" id="en-TLB-16951">"desolate, so that all who pass by will gasp and shake their heads in amazement at its utter desolation."</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-36319592043742373512020-07-21T12:56:00.000-04:002020-07-21T13:05:22.353-04:00Are You Looking for That Blessed Hope?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZsya4ox4XkZAT_XMEsEVSP28XlZ2qDzg2cFLmk_W3Rp2wF2X1le5Q_vLJ1AQC_JexTF8aqRy8ePHnDiuWL5vFrugoX93O-0Oxd5BBftOUkeetalq7foF9SVII5MLmzl-05xIPfApVUOh/s1600/IMG_4664+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZsya4ox4XkZAT_XMEsEVSP28XlZ2qDzg2cFLmk_W3Rp2wF2X1le5Q_vLJ1AQC_JexTF8aqRy8ePHnDiuWL5vFrugoX93O-0Oxd5BBftOUkeetalq7foF9SVII5MLmzl-05xIPfApVUOh/s320/IMG_4664+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<span class="text Titus-2-11" id="en-KJV-29920"><i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,</span></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Titus-2-12" id="en-KJV-29921"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;</span><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" Titus 2:11-13</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When we live with the realization that Christ Jesus could come at any moment to rapture the believers in the air and forever we will be with Him in Heaven (the blessed hope), our life here on earth becomes focused on the question, "Am I ready?" And the second question is, "<span style="color: #222222;">Am I living a life, pleasing to God?"</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Am I Ready?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you know Jesus? Is your name written in the Lamb's book of life? If not, would you like to know? It's as easy as A,B,C.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dmit</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> before God that you have fallen short of God’s perfection. The Bible calls this sin. There is no exception; all of us have offended God. Sin separates us from God.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 24pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For there is not a just man upon the earth that does good and sins not” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Ecclesiastes 7:20)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">elieve</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that Jesus died on a cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead. The gift of eternal Life is only through Jesus Christ.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that whosoever believeth in him</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">should not perish, but have everlasting life." </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">(John 3:16)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"These things have I written unto you</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that believe on the name of the Son of God;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that ye may </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">know</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that ye have eternal life,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(I John 5:13)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here is a way you can make it more personal - by inserting your name where it says "world" and "whosoever":</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"For God so loved </span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the world</span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(you can insert your name here)</span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that he gave his only begotten Son</span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that </span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">whosoever</span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(insert your name) </span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">believes in him</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God's "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; white-space: pre-wrap;">only begotten Son" is Jesus Christ.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">onfirm</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your decision. Speak to the Lord from your heart and receive him </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">now</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as your personal Savior. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since prayer can be an expression of sincere faith, you may express your trust in Jesus as your Savior through words like these: </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> *** Note *** </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(It’s not saying the words, but </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your trust</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Christ alone that saves)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lord God, I admit that I have a sin nature, and I have fallen short of your perfect righteousness. Forgive my sin of unbelief. I now accept and believe that Jesus, God in the flesh, died on the cross, shed His precious blood for my sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Thank you for your forgiveness, and for the gift of eternal life. Lord Jesus, live in my heart and save my soul. Help me to walk faithfully in my new spiritual life.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In Jesus' name I pray, Amen." </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have prayed and accepted the Lord's gift of eternal life, or have questions please let me know in the comments! I would be happy to pray for you in your new life with Him!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Portions taken from: </span><a href="http://www.rossvallythemovie.com/gospel-challenge.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.rossvallythemovie.com/gospel-challenge.html</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Crafty Girls", cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> )</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Am I living a life pleasing to God?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our verse above in Titus 2 says that because of the grace given to us, we are to live godly, righteous, sober lives. As we grow in the Lord through prayer and reading His Word, the Bible, we learn more and more how to walk in His ways and do the things that please Him. It is a journey. We continue to learn and to yield our lives to him each day as we look for that blessed hope. </span></div>
Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-77859267016178484612020-06-11T13:14:00.000-04:002020-06-11T13:14:30.319-04:003 Encouragements From Psalm 46 for Times of Trouble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xC8mhQKZVIX4DIQuvvLdZ6frmtCUGFa0c9R3-6h4_hZvMSqmCto67IarcLsChUTncVIn1Q62pB_b2b2X7BfTYXsxMnHDoM4pbh9ogc7dfL7seRM37aw3fRcHTafl7u1z3Ss5y_NI7YL5/s1600/Sunbursed+Beach+morning+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xC8mhQKZVIX4DIQuvvLdZ6frmtCUGFa0c9R3-6h4_hZvMSqmCto67IarcLsChUTncVIn1Q62pB_b2b2X7BfTYXsxMnHDoM4pbh9ogc7dfL7seRM37aw3fRcHTafl7u1z3Ss5y_NI7YL5/s320/Sunbursed+Beach+morning+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span class="text Ps-46-1" id="en-KJV-14616" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. </span>Therefore will not we fear, " Psalm 46:1-2a</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-46-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The <u>Power</u> of God working for us. </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"God is our refuge and strength,"</i></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;">God has the power to keep us safe. He is our refuge.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
Cities of refuge were provided in ancient Israel. When someone killed another person by accident, they could go to the nearest city of refuge and know that the next of kin of the deceased would not be able to hurt them in revenge. They were protected there. We can run to the Lord for refuge in times of trouble for protection. We can be secure in His strength. He has only to speak the words and the earth came into existence. <i><span style="color: #0b5394;">"The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted." (verse 6)</span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The <u>Presence</u> of God working with us. </span></b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"a very present help in trouble"</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"The Lord of Hosts is with us..." (Verse 7)</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
Jesus' name, Emmanuel, means "God with us." And He said, <i><span style="color: #0b5394;">"<b style="box-sizing: border-box;">I</b> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">will</b> never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrew 13:5b). </span></i>We don't have to face our troubles by ourselves. We can pray for help. Others can also pray for us. This gives much hope that things will be okay.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;">The <u>Peace</u> of God working in us. </b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">"<span style="font-size: 16px;">Therefore will not we fear</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">"</span></span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (verse 10)</i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In Philippians 4:4-7, we are given a few steps to follow in order to have this wonderful peace in our hearts. 1. Rejoice in the Lord always. Note the word "always". This means in good times and in bad times. 2. <i><span style="color: #0b5394;">"</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Let your moderation (gentleness) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand" </span></i>We need to get along with everyone and be kind to one another. 3. Don't worry about anything.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Pray, be thankful for everything and give your concerns and requests to the Lord.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"And the </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">peace</b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">of</b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">God</b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."</span></span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">So, be confident and have peace in knowing that we have a mighty, powerful God, who knows and loves us so much that He wants to help and be with us through all circumstances.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Note: Inspired by a devotional by Derick Cleave from the UK.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-27786527303630677962020-05-22T17:08:00.001-04:002020-05-22T17:08:57.827-04:00Keeping Calm during Troubled Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUO-Aw1xX-nM4zZI0Ga7S2U1y8ocu6nrVt93SSLSTxU0RHMkUeMk4BHiRHwH_ZaYEa94TutUyMstnVab_U8_sW24R0X_mK1TMrEW19cEktjqlEETZPYNiLuDQ_gkHelP294260M5OL2KX/s1600/IMG_4711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUO-Aw1xX-nM4zZI0Ga7S2U1y8ocu6nrVt93SSLSTxU0RHMkUeMk4BHiRHwH_ZaYEa94TutUyMstnVab_U8_sW24R0X_mK1TMrEW19cEktjqlEETZPYNiLuDQ_gkHelP294260M5OL2KX/s400/IMG_4711.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: justify;">For around 3 months we have been at home during the Covid 19 pandemic. It has been a scary/depressing time. At first, not much was known about it, except that it was very contagious and deadly. I used t</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: justify;">he extra free time at home</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: justify;"> to do some art work everyday. I began to follow </span><a href="https://www.shawnpetite.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #5fade5; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Shawn Petite's</a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;"> lead in making a calm art journal to focus my mind on good things. As I started working on it, I realized that most of the words of the word prompts in the journal were the same as the "Fruit of the Spirit". </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"> </span></span><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23</span></i><span style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"> </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As I </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;">painted each page, I would think of the word and what it meant for me. I also looked up the word in the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/" target="_blank">Biblegateway website </a>and read and meditated on the scripture for that word. It really was a great way to focus on the Lord. Through this exercise He gave me the peace I needed to get through this troubled time. Here are the pages in the journal.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFI1SnWAXXvq0dW66eV1TYZxyH6VtP4aXiqVJOpCdg0nNNbbYraH3U_LvS9nI9pUJEESM5R0cO8FLzcZ3ig_sOPAN7R5yUjArfL56rvgW8tOvxtsadfiS3EY2qKQWpOIUPMFZPWE9beBF/s1600/IMG_4587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1151" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFI1SnWAXXvq0dW66eV1TYZxyH6VtP4aXiqVJOpCdg0nNNbbYraH3U_LvS9nI9pUJEESM5R0cO8FLzcZ3ig_sOPAN7R5yUjArfL56rvgW8tOvxtsadfiS3EY2qKQWpOIUPMFZPWE9beBF/s200/IMG_4587.JPG" width="143" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>LOVE</b></span></span></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Rom-8-38" id="en-KJV-28155" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, n</span>or height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39</span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This verse always jumps out at me. I am loved by God! Wow! You are loved by God! He loves us so much that He gave his only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. He was buried, and then 3 days later He rose from the grave. (John 3:16). This is the greatest love. Tenderness, kindness, others first, self sacrificing, caring, and commitment are other words that came to my mind as I painted this page.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wSuaJYKidge4_StfioCPmpGiS3DRHghBGDRP7Ow2mPHv7DyrMK6_AxgOjKjmGxhN3K408gknvODu2hWiNgwPhp5x9M_Xw0bOLkawLWOM2_G3_ROhRxMfiwCEFmpP-LW_beE2gO2xwyK4/s1600/IMG_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1600" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wSuaJYKidge4_StfioCPmpGiS3DRHghBGDRP7Ow2mPHv7DyrMK6_AxgOjKjmGxhN3K408gknvODu2hWiNgwPhp5x9M_Xw0bOLkawLWOM2_G3_ROhRxMfiwCEFmpP-LW_beE2gO2xwyK4/s200/IMG_4602.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>JOY</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:" </i></span><i style="color: #0b5394;">Psalm 66:1</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My beautiful grandchildren fill up my "joy" tank every time I see them. They are such a blessing to me. Other things that bring me joy are hearing birds singing, little birds, balloons, painting, my kids, nature, trees, music and flowers.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmV7xVyJ267yvPQPjl1_iR0vOPMaJ6tiuvWrtvFRJlZBEopQEgeTz1CYQR-KgZc_SGUP68uulxQagtF3Pa99iGUXXSI1ItYBkOFYozdRMUreuoYAxbps-A5mwcFewwGRoBepBR2qLrmhf/s1600/IMG_4633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmV7xVyJ267yvPQPjl1_iR0vOPMaJ6tiuvWrtvFRJlZBEopQEgeTz1CYQR-KgZc_SGUP68uulxQagtF3Pa99iGUXXSI1ItYBkOFYozdRMUreuoYAxbps-A5mwcFewwGRoBepBR2qLrmhf/s200/IMG_4633.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>PEACE</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">" </span>Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27</span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow, this verse really helped me. No matter what happens, I know that Jesus will always be with me. Other peaceful things for me are the ocean, a quiet lake, a singing bird, the sunset or sunrise, music, flowers, a hug, a cuddly little dog, a flickering candle, God's word, a smile, and a sleeping baby.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">PATIENCE</span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"But let <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">patience</b> have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTfRTOdoVT1UUYLT29SSFc16Z1883rNT0Ed5nNS2xUg8JjTeJ9T4YjZStr8m-pg2IHOcoQvkFj5kkCKCghG9jXG1wWBGmTxdxQTqaoDhRUFqWLiwBlE3pecYUnzZ7BZxApMRk2_q07w7q/s1600/IMG_4634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1600" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTfRTOdoVT1UUYLT29SSFc16Z1883rNT0Ed5nNS2xUg8JjTeJ9T4YjZStr8m-pg2IHOcoQvkFj5kkCKCghG9jXG1wWBGmTxdxQTqaoDhRUFqWLiwBlE3pecYUnzZ7BZxApMRk2_q07w7q/s200/IMG_4634.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first 2 weeks were pretty easy to just stay home. But, as the weeks turned into months, it got harder and harder to wait for things to be normal again. It's been tough to wait. It's been hard to miss out on our gathering together at church to worship and praise the Lord together. Sure, it was great to at least join and participate with virtual worship on-line. But, it's not the same. Things won't be normal for a long time. So, we continue to wait and be patient. The Lord has all things in control.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4i-wqL7XWTkG4FZ9tis04qQi0RW7ZVsCh3RGBR0bJw6wFGEXfGA-ExAGPgmV93db26YrQgJACLzK4WX6-lvozAi6Z57aYJHIBVLPCfTV34H4hIWRTQ7tVGCQcrH3SyqcQmd3jm3eCL-XU/s1600/IMG_4663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1600" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4i-wqL7XWTkG4FZ9tis04qQi0RW7ZVsCh3RGBR0bJw6wFGEXfGA-ExAGPgmV93db26YrQgJACLzK4WX6-lvozAi6Z57aYJHIBVLPCfTV34H4hIWRTQ7tVGCQcrH3SyqcQmd3jm3eCL-XU/s200/IMG_4663.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">FAITH</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1</span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My faith in God and Jesus makes me who I am. My faith gives me peace, joy, strength, love and many more good things.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirC9GS__rRkOGqZCz66cTrUFIRAolEPHsGAauhlQPjJXe3eapUbXNqahlAebZV4nLzhgnrTM_vCY3vSMoMSFXz-e7qjE1RtE1Wz7jBQSyr1Rfy-yJt2iNJ9iTHwIypOYcZQwy7LKUsF1gx/s1600/IMG_4664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirC9GS__rRkOGqZCz66cTrUFIRAolEPHsGAauhlQPjJXe3eapUbXNqahlAebZV4nLzhgnrTM_vCY3vSMoMSFXz-e7qjE1RtE1Wz7jBQSyr1Rfy-yJt2iNJ9iTHwIypOYcZQwy7LKUsF1gx/s200/IMG_4664.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>HOPE</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy." Psalm 147:11</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My hope is in the Lord. It's so good to know that it gives Him pleasure.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-NFmqgZpTIJOJAZ28pPJTyzzJ1-glCgxu1RGefgdwz-wRbhMhgcYiyDRuskExRF8Rb_v00Wf29JjeACyOf_PgNfgwD0VrNyScLOMZ433V13-0lKj2boeRHfnOvO2MsJPS0CybSo8BQJg/s1600/IMG_4665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1600" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-NFmqgZpTIJOJAZ28pPJTyzzJ1-glCgxu1RGefgdwz-wRbhMhgcYiyDRuskExRF8Rb_v00Wf29JjeACyOf_PgNfgwD0VrNyScLOMZ433V13-0lKj2boeRHfnOvO2MsJPS0CybSo8BQJg/s200/IMG_4665.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>GENTLENESS</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"But we were <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">gentle</b> among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:" I Thess. 2:7</span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Be kind to one another.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>PRACTICE COURAGE</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">"</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Be</span> <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">strong</span> and of a good courage; <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">be</span> not afraid, neither <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">be</span> thou dismayed: for the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhDajASnQDiDwD55ZfvPnu9Tx2epmC-a6j4JKHab-2ZiLm2VoQ38lJKNSEy_12B5JbzMHbwni7cC_DzRahYd5J8ZJksByJR6xTIasAOr65eUQCZbAJHORWAuvrU_YMGsAZMb0Ka-xIzqi/s1600/IMG_4668+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhDajASnQDiDwD55ZfvPnu9Tx2epmC-a6j4JKHab-2ZiLm2VoQ38lJKNSEy_12B5JbzMHbwni7cC_DzRahYd5J8ZJksByJR6xTIasAOr65eUQCZbAJHORWAuvrU_YMGsAZMb0Ka-xIzqi/s200/IMG_4668+%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">I was thinking of our brave medical workers and our wonderful military, who are the front line workers for us. They practice courage everyday and I am so thankful to them.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">I pray that as you read through this post and look at each journal page that it will help you to have hope, calmness and peace. </span><span style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">God bless you my friend!</span></span></div>
Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-7021659721437713852017-07-14T22:35:00.001-04:002017-07-14T23:00:15.494-04:00Not everyone can be a Moses...But most can be an Aaron and a Hur<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><span class="textexod-17-11"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Exodus 17: 11-12<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it came to pass, when Moses held up
his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek
prevailed.</span></span></i></span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><span class="textexod-17-12"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span>But Moses hands were
heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and
Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on
the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.</span></span></i></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18Dj7PyOJeB7tymL30b6Z-DILWiuWzhwfEfSV6Dc880XhwzWqfd3L8ko89TAZhWhK6HyAwLdEHGRaKlmJabh5GAw5m34w9GsQT2BXpfVLLQ-DcMgmnSG6j5BFJiga2qHOUehkwCHZPHWo/s1600/BFF+Morning+sml+crp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="413" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18Dj7PyOJeB7tymL30b6Z-DILWiuWzhwfEfSV6Dc880XhwzWqfd3L8ko89TAZhWhK6HyAwLdEHGRaKlmJabh5GAw5m34w9GsQT2BXpfVLLQ-DcMgmnSG6j5BFJiga2qHOUehkwCHZPHWo/s320/BFF+Morning+sml+crp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BFF Morning by Janis Lee Colon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textexod-17-12"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pretty soon after the Israelites
had been delivered out of Egypt, </span></span><span class="textexod-17-12"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">a hostile nomadic desert tribe, led by their leader, Amalek</span></span><span class="textexod-17-12"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">, attacked them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess
he didn’t like all these new people invading his turf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure he must have heard why these
people were there and how God had fought for them and delivered them with a
mighty hand from Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
think he would have thought twice before confronting them and their powerful God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textexod-17-12"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Moses was a leader.
God used him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and then gave him the laws for
them to follow. All the people looked to him to lead them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, he was a mere man, with weaknesses,
like all others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this first battle,
he needed support in order to keep holding up the rod, so that they would win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aaron and Hur came
along side of him and set up a rock for Moses to sit on and also stood next to
him and held up his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were supporters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fighting lasted
all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without their support,
Moses’ arms would have dropped down and the battle would have been lost.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textexod-17-12"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Not everyone can be a
leader. It takes special people with outgoing personalities, who can motivate
and command a crowd. Although, these people seem to do everything great in each
of their areas, they all have a group of people who are behind the scenes,
working on everything needed for this person to succeed. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textexod-17-12"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In church ministries,
just a hand full of people are the speakers, preachers, ministers and
singers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, all of us can be
supporters in one way or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here are just some of the ways we can be of support:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can pray for our leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always so encouraging to hear that someone has been
praying for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giving
encouragement via a phone call, note, email or card is always good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Financial support is always needed and
appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Providing physical
help with things that have to be fixed, built or maintained can be of great
relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many ways
that we can find ways to be a helper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textexod-17-12"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is such an
important principle for us to keep in mind that God told Moses to write this
account as a memorial in the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As you read the rest of the story to verse 16, it didn’t turn out too
well for Amalek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dared to
attack the people who have an almighty God, who fights and delivers them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textexod-17-12"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just as Aaron and Hur
played an important part and shared in the victory, we can also reap the blessings as we
help each other.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-17185905384891062092012-10-06T09:47:00.000-04:002012-10-06T09:47:28.092-04:00Treasure in Earthen Vessels<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>297</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1697</o:Characters>
<o:Company>The Friends of Israel</o:Company>
<o:Lines>14</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2084</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLfZjVVmKLf7EmP8cXqJpfz8lWR1P9rFAy_0zbY73Huz61k0U1yJ0rpn0L_Nfc-KWtGqAFSNZL3XHtJ7l94zKdiltMLPhqXWJ6EyLCZ2mQOVbQ6ui6o_SB1ElbuN7MxGCt76R71LCwWWd/s1600/treasure+in+clay+jar+wc+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLfZjVVmKLf7EmP8cXqJpfz8lWR1P9rFAy_0zbY73Huz61k0U1yJ0rpn0L_Nfc-KWtGqAFSNZL3XHtJ7l94zKdiltMLPhqXWJ6EyLCZ2mQOVbQ6ui6o_SB1ElbuN7MxGCt76R71LCwWWd/s400/treasure+in+clay+jar+wc+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16pt;">But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. </span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">2 Corinthians 4:7 </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">(Read 2 Cor. 4:1-7)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I recently saw a
demonstration on pottery where the artist said,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">”I like to play with dirt!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Never really thought of
pottery in that term before…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9A36-jPaeZHd9bOwPUOWfA4skIj_1YmPO2500hcWCpR0qezarociyiGCHTOUGrEniTv0RPcXOD0rgWNqv3aNQqBhE0d90_O-vM149WqCdSHyKsPIy0mic4XmtDwevxxo-iv_I6u-VIUDH/s1600/Peter-pottery+restoration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9A36-jPaeZHd9bOwPUOWfA4skIj_1YmPO2500hcWCpR0qezarociyiGCHTOUGrEniTv0RPcXOD0rgWNqv3aNQqBhE0d90_O-vM149WqCdSHyKsPIy0mic4XmtDwevxxo-iv_I6u-VIUDH/s320/Peter-pottery+restoration.jpg" width="220" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Peter with the pottery restoration.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Today, pottery is so
beautifully finished with glazes of different colors and styles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pieces can last for many years.
But, in ancient times, clay
vessels were used much like we use paper plates today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Used once, then thrown away. Very
little value, if any, was put on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today, archaeologist find volumes of pottery shards on their digs. Very
rarely they’ll find a clay pot in tact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My husband participated in a dig where he found 3 Roman pots in tact! He
was the star for the day! Everyone stopped their digging and came over to
see!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They let him hold it and take
pictures with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, they
wouldn’t let him keep them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shards,
on the other hand, were plentiful. After making sure there was no significant
inscription on them, he was permitted to take some home. Part of his training
was pottery restoration.<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> </span></i>It’s like working an ancient jigsaw puzzle with shards
to reconstruct the pottery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unique pieces got a place in the museum
showcase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All others were stored
away, rarely to be seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In this passage we are
pictured as earthen vessels (clay pots); made of dirt, cracked, humble and
ordinary. Not a likely place to store a treasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, God, who created the light to shine from the darkness,
has chosen to shine the light in our hearts and to use us to give the light of
the knowledge of God’s glory and the gospel of the Lord Jesus to others who are
still in darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a
treasure!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Our human weakness is
not a barrier for the power of God. God uses ordinary people. It is because we are blessed with this wonderful treasure
that we should have boldness and confidence to live for the Glory of God. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Note: Thoughts inspired by a
sermon on “God’s Glory in our Witness” by Dr. Erwin Lutzer of Moody Memorial
Church in Chicago. </span></i></span><!--EndFragment-->
Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-5027792854706557182012-08-25T12:55:00.001-04:002012-08-25T12:55:50.571-04:00Being in the Presence of God Brings on a Reaction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOKUCyden2EYZJvUXRoLGkvvBGwapCdbbyDjYOIisZ-a_K83yolZvw0Q5eKXam1gL0DisfBsW-l-sJhJUyza1iecsXQm_BBFxDv2COBu1F83-eeTrpTf3xiC9Kg51k1BDK_ENmdeSQ1G_/s1600/Park+of+the+Palm-3-2010+23+past+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOKUCyden2EYZJvUXRoLGkvvBGwapCdbbyDjYOIisZ-a_K83yolZvw0Q5eKXam1gL0DisfBsW-l-sJhJUyza1iecsXQm_BBFxDv2COBu1F83-eeTrpTf3xiC9Kg51k1BDK_ENmdeSQ1G_/s320/Park+of+the+Palm-3-2010+23+past+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>364</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2076</o:Characters>
<o:Company>The Friends of Israel</o:Company>
<o:Lines>17</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2549</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was listening to an inspirational song, where the songwriter tries to
imagine what he would do when he sees Jesus face to face in heaven. Would he stand or would he fall on his
knees? Would he sing Hallelujah or
just be silent?... It’s a beautiful song.
It got me thinking; does the Bible give any examples of people’s
reaction, when they came into God’s presence? Here are a few that I found.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px;"><b>In the presence of God:</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px;">Adam and Eve hid themselves, after they disobeyed God in the Garden (Genesis
3:8).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px;">The people were afraid – When Moses went up the Mountain to meet with God
and they heard the thunderings and saw the lightning flashes and smoke. (Exodus
20:18)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px;">Ezekiel fell on his face (Ezekiel 1:28)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px;">All men will shake (Ezekiel 38:20)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px;">Jonah fled (Jonah 1:3)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px;">People feared (Haggai 1:12)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px;">Isaiah saw
his own unworthiness and said, “Woe <i>is</i> me, for I am undone! Because I <i>am</i>
a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px;">The Apostle John fell at his feet as dead (Revelation 1:17)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px;">The people,
who had rejected the Lord Jesus Christ were standing and waiting to be judged
from the books at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-12)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These examples sound like it’s a very scary thing to be in
God’s presence. For sure, we must have reverence before Him. Yet, there is comfort in knowing that if we know and abide in
the Lord, we can feel safe. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He who dwells in
the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.</span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I will say
of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will
trust.”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> (Psalm 91:1)</span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We can also </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">experience fullness of
joy and pleasures forevermore in His presence! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“You will show me
the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right
hand are pleasures forevermore.”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> (Psalm 16:11)</span></i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How can we “know” Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
only way is through The Lord Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">“Jesus said
to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6)</span></i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jesus told us that we need not be afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has prepared a place for us in Heaven. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only can we imagine, but with joy look
forward to seeing Him face to face! </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Let not
your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In My Father’s house are many mansions;</span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you.</span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be
also.” (John 14:1-3)</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-71026685856213269382012-03-04T16:39:00.003-05:002012-03-04T16:52:29.622-05:00Lamentations – Finding Hope Out of Sorrow and Grief<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4EhvvN9hj0CVKc_Qx65xdol3XJ3mwzQ7M5YKLXrZwgD76J_jUVqjI_qC_l2GivMu6cjD-sTg_4TWADwNKAs2CbFR_zxNJAEwD5LF6_G9MSgr_Gm_AWsVuW6aoc4mqPtSn8Q5Jxgk4cfh/s1600/Deerfield+Umbrella+Sunrise+wm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4EhvvN9hj0CVKc_Qx65xdol3XJ3mwzQ7M5YKLXrZwgD76J_jUVqjI_qC_l2GivMu6cjD-sTg_4TWADwNKAs2CbFR_zxNJAEwD5LF6_G9MSgr_Gm_AWsVuW6aoc4mqPtSn8Q5Jxgk4cfh/s400/Deerfield+Umbrella+Sunrise+wm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716162479870003330" /></a><br /> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>354</o:Words> <o:characters>2020</o:Characters> <o:company>The Friends of Israel</o:Company> <o:lines>16</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>2480</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For most people, when you turn to Lamentations in your Bible, the pages are still stuck together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s not enjoyable to read about sorrow – true sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lamentations tearfully describes the grief experienced when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As you read, you can feel the devastating pain from every perspective -the observer, the victim, the city, God, and Jeremiah. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">An applicational thought:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As a healing process for grief, it may help to see the situation in other perspectives, besides our own. </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How could such a thing happen to Jerusalem, where God chose to place His name? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The people no longer loved or served God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They turned away to follow other god’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Prophets warned of the impending judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All they had to do was to turn back to God. The warnings were ignored to the very end. Then it was too late. Judgment came.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The main question asked when trouble strikes is, “Why is this happening to me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are many reasons for why trouble occurs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But Lamentations zooms in on this one thought. It is God’s way of getting the attention of His own who have gone astray. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God means what he says and says what He means. Continual persistent disobedience will end in grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Make an assessment on how you are living your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Are your thoughts and actions aliened with God’s will?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Is He trying to get your attention?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The lesson learned here is not to ignore these warnings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But to humbly submit and return to Him.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This book is dark and gloomy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, wait… there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>- It’s called Hope!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Our sorrow will </span>not consume us, because of the Lord’s mercies and compassion toward us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even in the darkest of nights, just as the sun will rise afresh in the morning, so His love and mercies will renew us each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Morning is coming- He is merciful (3:22-24). The Lord is good to all those who humble themselves, seek and wait patiently for Him. God doesn’t take pleasure in grief. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> It’s so wonderful to know that no matter how bad our circumstances are the Lord will help us through it. In the end, we can find hope out of the sorrow. For</span><b style="font-family: Cambria; "> </b><i style="font-family: Cambria; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333ff;">“we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28</span></i></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-51063392885670795202012-01-08T15:46:00.015-05:002012-01-08T16:59:29.305-05:00Looking Ahead<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUDU13LFvAD2-LwtCaQ5nMjsCr0MHYet3lJ26mTpzwlEJCHpcrm5fimVF3DzqBAVzldTKj6LnpCtrUoq0Xr7hsJE-rUuS4FxH1RGVF0UMqlGI_aWGmfW4lLI8MjQZtlVRh9l8-UIkkwjM/s1600/Beach+Post+Path+wc+8x10+.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUDU13LFvAD2-LwtCaQ5nMjsCr0MHYet3lJ26mTpzwlEJCHpcrm5fimVF3DzqBAVzldTKj6LnpCtrUoq0Xr7hsJE-rUuS4FxH1RGVF0UMqlGI_aWGmfW4lLI8MjQZtlVRh9l8-UIkkwjM/s400/Beach+Post+Path+wc+8x10+.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695374572621538562" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">As I start this new year, I know that God already knows what will happen. It's wonderful to know that He has it all under control in His will. I will continue on as He leads.<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"> I found this great poem in a simple frame hung on the wall of the Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary classroom, where I attend classes to finish what I started over 40 years ago and get my bachelor's degree in Christian Education. It really spoke to me and I hope that it will be an encouragement to you as well. (The poem is like a prayer to God.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><b>Looking Ahead</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">I'm looking ahead to those things that</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">You will have me to do,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Those places You will have me to go,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Those things You have purposed for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">I'm looking ahead with power,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">strength</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">and determination</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Knowing that the past is behind me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">the present is before me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">and the future awaits me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">You know what's ahead of me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">You have prepared the way</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">You have straightened the crooked paths</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">and smoothed the rough places</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Stumbling blocks will become instruments</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">in Your hand for my good</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">and Your purpose</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Detours will serve as opportunities to tell</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">others about You.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">I can look ahead</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">because You are my Guide.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><i>by</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><i>Louvenia Lee Aka Love Lee</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><i>Trust in the LORD with all your heart,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><i>and lean not on your own understanding;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><i>In all your ways acknowledge Him,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><i>And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><i>Note: Picture is a photograph I took at Deerfield Beach, FL in the early morning.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-73657458153706245312011-11-10T15:25:00.007-05:002011-11-10T16:18:40.053-05:00Is Life Worth Living? A Look At Ecclesiastes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXmvTbAp8wSsgPkR2PxdSUXL_wGaRaVueIu9EH7yDMMI4sazylEHsqQ9BTWAGi3MxAtgf9dcmdy_AVXvUbnzYHQsdDZ5DJMr16rX7x774wcLV9BArw20Gj0QBcYeROBnGcw-o0vH9D4gi/s1600/Janis+at+Hollywood+Cem+Richmond+wm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXmvTbAp8wSsgPkR2PxdSUXL_wGaRaVueIu9EH7yDMMI4sazylEHsqQ9BTWAGi3MxAtgf9dcmdy_AVXvUbnzYHQsdDZ5DJMr16rX7x774wcLV9BArw20Gj0QBcYeROBnGcw-o0vH9D4gi/s320/Janis+at+Hollywood+Cem+Richmond+wm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673475274182988802" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span style="line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#006600;"><i>Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span style="line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#006600;"><i>Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > The book of Ecclesiastes is one of three books written by the wisest man that ever lived, King Solomon. He was gifted by God with great wisdom. By reading this book we have the rare opportunity to, sort of, “sit” under his teaching and learn, first hand, from his Godly wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style=" "><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Solomon examines the question, “Is life worth living?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I think we all have asked this question sometime in our lives. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 42px; ">In the beginning of the book, Solomon gave 4 arguments as to why life was not worth living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> It was vanity. </span>Life, under the sun (physical life without God in the picture) is monotonous, there is vanity in wisdom, wealth is futile, and death is certain for everyone and all living creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then he reviewed these same arguments, putting God into the picture and found that life is worth living, after all:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead of a monotonous life, it was adventurous, filled with unexpected challenges, occurring each in their own time and purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a gift from God and being able to enjoy it was also a gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even though man’s wisdom could not explain everything, it was better to follow God’s wisdom than to practice the folly of men, because He has everything in His control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wealth could also have a purpose for the good of others and could be enjoyed to God’s glory. And, knowing that death is certain for all should motivate us to live life to the fullest and make the most of each day we have.</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span style="line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Solomon’s final conclusion at the end of the book is key to living life to the fullest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He admonishes us to fear God and follow His commandments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span style="line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When you bring in the good news of the gospel, life becomes even more meaningful, and it is worth living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you know Jesus Christ as your savior, you can be satisfied, no matter what circumstances come your way, because <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” 1 John 5:12</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > God has given us His wisdom, <i>His Word</i>, to follow in our daily walk with Him. This earth is not our home, but we have an eternal home in heaven where all the labor we have done on earth is not in vain in the Lord. (I Cor.15:57-58) We need not fear death because Jesus Christ has conquered death (Rev. 1:17-18). And because He lives, we know that we shall live with Him.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#663366;" ><i>Photograph: Janis sitting at the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#663366;"><i>Thoughts taken from the book: "Be Satisfied" by Warren W. Wiersbe</i></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#663366;"><i>and Dr. Peter Colon's (my husband) class lectures on Ecclesiastes.</i></span></div>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-73057287941337023352011-08-30T15:44:00.004-04:002011-08-30T15:54:51.781-04:00Proverbs – God’s Wisdom Book<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qPV1kGPm1V6NdVxUbtr79_8_2h2cBkF0Ci6bI30lKcu4vGXBq5XK-DQ56TZ1NfrRc2Ioj2twuFs16tGImWaHpAopV_L7pTsJ4iHRPh5ivUvWe9ydxwOI9q44MbEIIeF6hJNFTl4f07c-/s1600/AOS+Jan+2010-11-11x14+dabs+2+wm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qPV1kGPm1V6NdVxUbtr79_8_2h2cBkF0Ci6bI30lKcu4vGXBq5XK-DQ56TZ1NfrRc2Ioj2twuFs16tGImWaHpAopV_L7pTsJ4iHRPh5ivUvWe9ydxwOI9q44MbEIIeF6hJNFTl4f07c-/s320/AOS+Jan+2010-11-11x14+dabs+2+wm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646738403746283650" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXCGgQjDPwk_HfNiufDqoSu9k5ubluJdZT7xP01DhEWjG-OSzD7cRJDS4iLUsdNk5GHzQ6fWc_aARZisqMF8cg1pWQEls29eHkTKwhy9NjwQJVd5pjTWSVoGk5QPqpGUZM4Ue2X1Kahv_/s1600/AOS+Jan+2010-11-11x14+dabs+2+wm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>284</o:Words> <o:characters>1622</o:Characters> <o:company>The Friends of Israel</o:Company> <o:lines>13</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>1991</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;color:#663366;">Proverbs 1:7- “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">While driving, I obey the rules very well, but when I know there is someone in authority, like a policeman, watching me, I tend make an extra effort to stay way within the speed limit. It’s the same feeling, but much more when speaking about the fear of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just knowing that God is there; that He is the creator, is ever watchful and we will someday have to answer to Him for our lives, should cause us to respect Him for who He is and want to please Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By studying His word, we can learn how.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Book of Proverbs gives us a good basis to follow.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Proverbs is a Godly wisdom book. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are to use it as a guidepost for our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It helps us to follow a wise way to live the Christian life and be a testimony of God’s work in us. It also helps us to make wise choices in our moral life, our relationships and with our responsibilities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The proverbs in this book are not to be used as incantations for selfish gain, but rather as principles for skillful living so that in due course, it will be well with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It gives us God’s wisdom to maneuver through life’s difficulties and challenges that are ever present. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">It isn’t important enough to have knowledge and a good education, it’s more important to have the wisdom to be able to use that education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Computers have an abundance of information but only us humans have the ability to have the wisdom to use that information for good.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span> </b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Eph 5:15-17 says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As a follower of Christ we are to walk soberly, knowing that God is there<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">. </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Proverbs helps us to know how to do that.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">A “must read” book to understand the book of Proverbs is: “<u>Be Skillful,<o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-40.5pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height: 200%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></u></b><u>Tapping God’s Guidebook to Fulfillment”</u>, by Warren W. Wiersbe</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-74976911842601868052011-07-04T21:41:00.007-04:002011-11-22T21:30:51.318-05:00Stepping Out Into the Unknown<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7NBnbONrxdGlOz5p_N21OJJdF3_-4GFbR2KZ4PsVUgY2gnLGGFCYBNpTan3dN3Kpvo_Nx1irNLPGwwQa7H9i42ms6OLi1WeOP7BcPDzYPuxqRulQlocmi6eo11Hqbq1Qwq_ZhYyhi98W/s1600/First+Step+in+the+Unknown+2011wm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625681408839711474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7NBnbONrxdGlOz5p_N21OJJdF3_-4GFbR2KZ4PsVUgY2gnLGGFCYBNpTan3dN3Kpvo_Nx1irNLPGwwQa7H9i42ms6OLi1WeOP7BcPDzYPuxqRulQlocmi6eo11Hqbq1Qwq_ZhYyhi98W/s400/First+Step+in+the+Unknown+2011wm.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">"When you pass through the waters, I </span></i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">will be</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"> with you; </span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you .</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"> Nor shall the flame scorch you. </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">For I </span></i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">am</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"> the LORD your God,</span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"> The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;..." </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">Isaiah 43:2-3a</span></i></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 13pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><strong>W</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">e took our little granddaughter to the beach for the first time a couple months ago. Her mom dressed her in a cute pink poka dot swimsuit and covered her head to toe in sunscreen and topped her off with a pretty white hat. She loved it! The water was perfect for a baby- it was calm and at low tide. When she got close, she went straight in to check it out. I tried to imagine what she might have felt as she looked out at the large unending ocean in front of her with brand new eyes. Unknown. Ever moving. Scary. Yet, pretty. Unaware of the dangers, she took that step of faith and found it to be refreshing! She sat down and splashed, picked up sand and threw it back in. What fun! But, we were close behind, watching her every move and ready to step in to help her if she needed it. </span></span></p><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 13pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><strong>A</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">s we venture into unknown territories: a new job, moving to new places, graduation, college, decisions on many different things. If you have a relationship with the Lord Jesus and He is your heavenly Father, remember that He is always with you– ready to listen and answer your prayers and help you along. You are not alone. Therefore, sit down, splash, have fun and keep trusting!</span></span></p><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 13pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">"</span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">Fear not, for I </span></i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">am</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"> with you;</span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"> Be not dismayed, for I </span></i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">am</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"> your God.</span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"> I will strengthen you,</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"> Yes, I will help you,</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"> I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">Isaiah 41:10</span></i></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 13pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Note: Picture is an oil painting of my granddaughter that I painted for my Daughter's Birthday.</span></em></p><!--EndFragment--></div>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-38180974123713049732011-05-26T17:37:00.019-04:002011-05-27T10:09:46.735-04:00Some Things Need To Be Remembered-Lest We Forget<div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><span style="color:#663366;">That this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever. Joshua 4:6-7<br /></span></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">On a long trip through Georgia, we stopped just south of Macon to visit Robbins Air Force Base Museum of Aviation. It was founded by one of the original members of the Flying Tigers of 1941, Robert Scott. He later wrote a book, "<em>God is My Co-Pilot".</em> </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611192781204379026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRAdKSM5na3k50K_bUIvsmrxWWP4zLeKJ4jBbZKX8q6RcVmb7W7esTrM9ePwjSrDXXDtO0dEC-ObHeGsBQopmB-q4z7NlmQDV2wa-o2ypjIN0MP8C4cPlyUt4B8pnUoYlNdquhBJle36J/s400/P-40+Flying+Tigers.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">(Peter's favorite group- The Flying Tigers!)</span></em></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">As we walked through and viewed all the different cool planes and displays, Peter and his Dad were excitedly talking up history, like there was no tomorrow. They would make great guides! If they lived closer, they’d definitely be volunteers at the place! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611197918305722386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 297px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLOPK9rBwBU4llfzuzmyy_iuStPkM_3uR7eI5zd-o4KzuZP8LE61WithXqet1oE2euKl7wyvtsffT_61Mky4ezfHkM9JUfk7vUPmY_yAxHJfIZfa9RuoQcILaPFCOogCnTk8YApN-zN58/s400/AAF+Briefing.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">(</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>One of the displays - WWII Pilots getting their flight schedules) </em></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611193824939051474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rmyp3D3mjG2mpEnBMnQpHPNe4E7HjDDvwLMF7AJsbPnZCSPe4qw3VhRf4M1hUXFCQ2XW3cOtsKtKB_kPt0DJ9oTgJoYK0RClS3ykncQqGBdf9u3GVcoml0dHai3IPYddhB4m8p2wiBjQ/s400/Air+Force+Muesum+13.JPG" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center"><em>(The Douglas C-124 GlobemasterII - Can you find me in the picture above?)</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Peter’s dad, at age 18, was an Air Force crew member on a Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, during the Korean War. This was a huge military air transporter! The sight of it brought up many memories for him.<br />As we stood in front of this massive plane, Dad shared what his job was and then mentioned, for the first time, that much of the cargo was the remains of the fallen soldiers from the conflict. It was a sobering thought.<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611194223098168674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuQ9CFBGOdZCH3MJ-PEOK0keobZhlBrHp5JIIWYwEmOK3DmVQrHyezJmGoHUQspSeqWB1rYZqv473sFTJMqSnZOldNCUuFs3Md157srkG4X_eOiTFJG2ziIZbPLG0qru9OL55cQNwcui2/s400/Air+Force+Muesum+6.JPG" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center"></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Because we took the time to visit, I gained a greater sense of pride, respect and adoration for my father-in-law, my country and the men and women who serve, then and now, in the armed forces. That’s what memorials are for. Without them, we would soon forget. </span></p>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-49959516820223999802011-03-30T10:36:00.008-04:002011-03-30T10:59:07.762-04:00A Special Menu - Passover’s Three Original Elements<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdia1uHcOcErLBeFwboek8FrYI0VUg_oF3hVr2hdSUFnA1Bbfsm_PGpoTqbbbFC8wXCVih7aIvPGaUIvHRjPV4Qrm5b3nA9_wIInLOucl4PZXytxVqonFwkXlVfDLzUlbyqY_UMUSN8Xr/s1600/passover+pic+2+wm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdia1uHcOcErLBeFwboek8FrYI0VUg_oF3hVr2hdSUFnA1Bbfsm_PGpoTqbbbFC8wXCVih7aIvPGaUIvHRjPV4Qrm5b3nA9_wIInLOucl4PZXytxVqonFwkXlVfDLzUlbyqY_UMUSN8Xr/s400/passover+pic+2+wm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589885424360455858" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zhb_byiCkQJAspNU5Eq4R4YlnniF3wxE2eJjPolJH98pjQ7cdHX_zj_tdapmTBzFU6RIrL8X-XA7c_YM8ZKRu_fVwSXiK2cCZvLQh4ffQqjslY_MMw-Z4jeZ4OH0CUkkb1U55M3lbxLN/s1600/passover+pic+2+wm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“Then they shall eat the flesh (lamb) on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.” </span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Exodus 12:8</span></span></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Did you ever have folks over for dinner and couldn’t decide what to prepare for them? Well, at the first Passover, God told the Israelites to prepare a special meal that would not only nourish them, but will also save the first-born in the home. It was the last meal they would eat as slaves in Egypt. On the plate, that evening, were 3 specific things. Each item had a historical, prophetic and Messianic picture. Did the picture become clear during the life and passion of Jesus in the 1</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">st</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Century?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">THE LAMB</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i>Historically: </i></b>This was a sacrifice each family had to make. The first-born in each house was under the judgment of death. The lamb’s life was substituted for the first-born. The blood of the lamb had to be splashed on the 2 doorposts and on the upper mantle of the door. When the angel of death saw the blood, he passed over the house and left the first-born unharmed. Any home that did not have this sacrifice resulted in death for the first born of that house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Prophetically: </b> This gave a picture of what the Messiah would be…”A SACRIFICE LAMB” (Isaiah 53:6)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i>Messianically:</i></b> It was the role of the priests to select the lambs to be offered to God. A Priest by the name of Johanann Ben Zechariah (John the Baptizer) said, as he saw Jesus coming to him to be baptized, ”…Behold! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>UNLEAVENED BREAD</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i>Historically:</i></b> The people were redeemed from Egypt by the swift hand of God. They had to be ready to leave quickly. They didn’t have time for the bread dough to rise. Furthermore, leaven is a picture of the effects of sin in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i>Prophetically:</i></b> It is a picture of what Messiah would be like… “A SINLESS LAMB.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i> Messianically: </i></b> It was also the role of the priests to inspect all the lambs for sacrifice. The Chief Priests challenged Jesus’ Authority; the Pharisees & the Herodians questioned his Allegiance, the Sadducees tested his Doctrine and an expert in religious law questioned his Devotion (Matthew 21 & 22). Little did they realize, that in their pursuit to have Jesus incriminate himself, they actually inspected THE LAMB and … found no fault in him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">BITTER HERBS</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i>Historically:</i></b> Life under Egyptian slavery was very bitter, with much suffering and very harsh treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i>Prophetically:</i></b> This is a picture of what the Messiah would become… “A SUFFERING LAMB.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i>Messianically:</i></b> It was the role of the priests and the people to slaughter their lambs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jesus was crucified at 9 am. While on the cross, at 12 noon, he hears the shofar blown, signaling the start to slaughter the lambs at the Temple. He also hears the people and the priests sing Psalms 113 through 118. At 3 pm the last line of the Psalms was song, “for his mercy endureth forever.” (Psalm 118:29) Jesus cries out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) and dies. He is quickly buried in the tomb. Three days later, He is resurrected!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This special menu has a much deeper significance when it’s seasoned with the Life of Christ. The picture becomes focused. It fits together! Jesus was the sinless, sacrificial, suffering Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. We all have sinned and are under the judgment of death. The sacrifice has been made for you. Have you accepted Jesus to be YOUR “LAMB”? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Note: I used a portion from a handout sheet called, “Passover in the upper room with Yeshua” by Peter Colon for the main points.</span></i></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 13pt; "><span style=" ;font-size:16pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613509818548016815.post-3182176275029519262011-03-02T16:34:00.004-05:002011-03-02T16:51:38.473-05:00New Children's Book- Seth and the Mystery of the Passover Lamb<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just in time for Passover and Resurrection Sunday Season!</span></span></b></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKdQFyXS8NSU9USfd3yXT3A_ZK9AyiSOmeIDKlJbXVvg2-qpnrNCwPFlnGTNa7O5z0mbpXpEAhePNXzdLOmL_WbwtbPbsBBT-5Y-KH7c9mIYthNhAPzISvwtHkc24jjpA-sWs_7AD-_Ps/s1600/SETH+%2526+Lamb+cover-front.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKdQFyXS8NSU9USfd3yXT3A_ZK9AyiSOmeIDKlJbXVvg2-qpnrNCwPFlnGTNa7O5z0mbpXpEAhePNXzdLOmL_WbwtbPbsBBT-5Y-KH7c9mIYthNhAPzISvwtHkc24jjpA-sWs_7AD-_Ps/s400/SETH+%2526+Lamb+cover-front.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579599347375331986" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(69, 51, 32); line-height: 22px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:15px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; "><b><i>Seth and the Mystery of the Passover Lamb</i></b> is a cute children's book that weaves together the Feast of Passover and Christianity, showing how the two are intended to fit together in God's perfect plan. As a Jewish Christian, 11 year old Seth never really understood his Jewish roots until a trip to Florida where he participates in a Passover Seder with his grandparents. Join Seth and his cousins Ruthie and Dave as they end up in the middle of a crazy mix-up that finally solves the mystery of the real Passover Lamb, Jesus the Messiah.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; ">Written by Bonnie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rosenthal</span> Pearson, a Jewish believer who along with her husband, Dan, work in Jewish ministries. She has written for magazines and is a speaker, musician and dramatist available to minister to both adults and children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; ">Illustrated by, yours <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">truly</span> - Janis Lee Colon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; "><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; ">I had fun doing the illustrations/sketches for some of the fun scenes in this book. Some kids in my neighborhood helped me by coming over and posing for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; ">We should have the book soon in early March! And you can buy it from me, on my <a href="http://janisleecolon.blogspot.com/p/book-store.html">Book Store page</a>! </div></span></div>Janis Lee Colonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086807994113678672noreply@blogger.com0